Azerbaijan leads hydrogen strategy push at COP29 to foster global energy transition

Azerbaijan’s Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov has called on countries to join Azerbaijan’s hydrogen strategy initiative at COP29, emphasizing the importance of green hydrogen in the country’s energy diversification and decarbonisation efforts.

“Green hydrogen is a key element of Azerbaijan's strategy to diversify its energy export portfolio and promote its decarbonisation policy,” Shahbazov said during the COP29 Ministerial Meeting on Energy Initiatives, Caliber.Az reports.

“The announcement of the hydrogen strategy within COP29 underlines our commitment to this path. Here at COP29, we invite each of you to join these commitments, step up climate action and take joint steps towards a brighter future,” he urged.

The minister explained that the hydrogen strategy will incentivize both state and non-state actors to achieve climate goals and foster collective climate action.

“The COP29 Hydrogen Declaration includes general commitments supporting the ambitions of the hydrogen sector and its role in the energy transition,” Shahbazov added. “It also includes measures to promote hydrogen standards and certification. We believe it is essential to assess progress on these initiatives at future COP sessions and reflect this in IAEA and IRENA reports. Your support strengthens our collective strength,” he noted.

Shahbazov emphasized the role of hydrogen in creating a zero-emission future. He highlighted that its application will help make the industrial, transport, and energy sectors greener and more sustainable, tapping into the full potential of renewable energy sources.

Furthermore, Shahbazov described the vision for the Central Asia-Azerbaijan Green Energy Corridor, which he sees as an essential link in a broader green energy platform connecting Asia and Europe. “We see the Central Asia-Azerbaijan Green Energy Corridor as an important link in a large single green energy platform connected to the planned Caspian Sea-Red Sea-Europe and Azerbaijan-Türkiye-Europe corridors,” he said. “This concept involves the transportation of significant volumes of green energy and hydrogen from Azerbaijan and Central Asia to Turkey and Europe, integrating major centres of renewable energy production and consumption from Asia to Europe.”

He also discussed the wider impact of these major energy projects, which aim to ensure a stable and sustainable energy future. “With the joint efforts of Central Asia and Azerbaijan, we are creating a legacy of clean, safe energy for future generations,” Shahbazov declared. “The three corridors, created based on great energy potential, provide opportunities for cooperation between investors, energy companies, and financial institutions.”

Shahbazov concluded by inviting investors and partners to join this historic transformation: “We invite investors and potential partners to join this historic transformation. We hope that this forum and discussions will strengthen the green energy partnership between Central Asian countries, Azerbaijan, and investors and contribute to the realization of our joint approach.”

By Tamilla Hasanova